You are here:

Anti-Gun Lawmakers in Des Moines Haven’t Given Up!

With the 2019 legislative session nearing the end, I have to tell you, I’m more nervous than ever that we may see a last minute move on ‘Red Flag Gun Seizure’ legislation in Des Moines.

As you’ll see below, Iowa’s House and Senate leaders have totally buckled under the pressure from both radical anti-gun activists and moderates in their own caucuses all session –- and anti-gunners are sensing an opportunity.

And that’s why it’s absolutely urgent that you sign your petition opposing ‘Red Flag Gun Seizures’ petition that we’ve prepared for you. More on that below.

You see, the legislature hasn’t passed the ‘Standings Bill’ yet, one of the final end-of-session bills that must be passed before lawmakers can adjourn.

Because it has to be passed, the ‘Standings Bill’ is the go-to bill for lawmakers who are looking to advance their legislation via a last minute amendment.

And there is no one more desperate to pass ‘Red Flag Gun Seizure’ legislation in Iowa than Rep. Bruce Hunter, one of the nastiest anti-gun lawmakers in the state!

Putting ‘Red Flag Gun Seizure’ legislation (H.F. 123) onto the ‘Standings Bill’ is exactly the kind of move that Rep. Hunter and his allies would make to move this bill.

Now, ordinarily I wouldn’t be very concerned about a move like this, as House and Senate leaders have the ability to stop an amendment like this from coming up for a vote.

But given the repeated betrayals that we’ve seen from these ‘leaders’ since the legislature convened in January, we can’t take anything for granted!

Then House leadership killed our Constitutional Carry legislation in the House (H.F. 118) without even granting it a sub-committee hearing, after they worked to keep the caucus from cosponsoring it.

But they didn’t stop there.

Both House AND Senate leaders also killed legislation (S.F. 116 and H.F. 636) that would allow gun owners to carry firearms while dropping off or picking up their kids at school.

Senate leaders also killed S.F. 459, legislation that would protect gun owners who secure their firearms in their vehicles if their employers prohibit firearms on company property.

I could go on and on, as these were just some of the pro-gun bills that were killed by our ‘friends’ in leadership in the House and Senate.

But it’s worse than that.

You see, it’s not just leadership who are working to kill gun bills these days.

Rank and file Republican lawmakers — in both chambers — are openly attacking pro-gun bills in a way that I’ve not seen in my eleven years fighting for gun rights.

First it was Republican State Representative Norlin Mommsen (R-97) who came out attacking Constitutional Carry, inspiring a growing number of his colleagues to do the same.

Then we saw freshman Republican Senator Chris Cournoyer (R-49) do the same thing, attacking Constitutional Carry while forgetting to mention that she’s a firearms instructor who has a financial interest in maintaining the current system.

Sadly, there are many more names that I could mention, where Republican lawmakers have betrayed gun owners to maintain their committee assignment with legislative leadership.

Everyone in Des Moines is talking about this unprecedented level of betrayal that gun owners have experienced at the hands of Republicans in Des Moines — the Republicans who won their majority thanks to the work of gun owners!

Far worse than a ban on a specific firearm like the AR-15 or a ban on accessories like your 30-round magazine, ‘Red Flag Gun Seizure’ legislation would allow ALL of your firearms to be seized before you’ve ever set foot in a courtroom!

Specifically, this legislation would:

Allow a gun seizure order to be issued before you havebeen convicted, or even charged, with anything!

A gun owner with absolutely no criminal background of any kind can have his firearms seized before he ever set foot in a courtroom. You would have more due process rights in traffic court than you would in defending your right to keep and bear arms.

Allow the hearing that determines whether or not to strip you of your firearms to happen in secret!

Known as ex-parte proceedings, these hearings take place in your absence. You would have no ability to question your accuser, provide your own evidence, or testify in your own defense.

Allow virtually anyone to make up one of these bogus complaints including an ex-spouse, embittered ex-girlfriend, maybe even your anti-gun neighbor!

By allowing almost anyone to file one of these complaints, this legislation destroys the idea of innocent until proven guilty and allows personal enemies to ruin your life!

And since most of the ‘Red Flag Gun Seizure’ bill drafts that we have seen allow for an automatic renewal process — one that can often be initiated solely by a judge –- in many cases this will amount to a lifetime gun ban.

Remember this can happen to you without you ever being charged, much less convicted, of a crime.

Between the repeated betrayals we’ve experience this session, not to mention Republican Speaker Pro-Tem Matt Windshitl having already told Iowa Press that he is open to advancing this legislation, we can’t rest until lawmakers leave Des Moines for the year!

Secondary Sidebar

News from Other States

Upcoming Gun Shows

As we work around the clock in the Capitol trying to advance Stand-Your-Ground law, we’re also working hard to come to as many gun shows as we can. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for you and other gun owners to make your voices heard! We need your help. Liberal media outlets from Council Bluffs to Cedar Rapids are working overtime to kill this legislation with